AMHERST – Coming off a fourth-place finish in 2009, Cumberland North Liberals are laying the groundwork for the next provincial election that could come later this year.
Liberal and Opposition Leader Stephen McNeil will be the guest speaker when the association holds its nomination meeting Thursday at the Wandlyn Inn. Registration begins at 6 p.m. and the meeting, under the chairmanship of David McNairn, begins at 7 p.m.
The meeting will also see the party select Amherst lawyer Terry Farrell as its candidate.
“I am really excited as I’m looking forward to this first get together of a revitalized Liberal movement in Cumberland North,” said Farrell. “I have been talking to members of the association and non-members and they all have a new sense of optimism in the party’s future in this riding.”
Farrell expects a strong team of new and returning Liberals preparing for the next election.
His nomination will round out the slate of candidates for the major parties. Brian Skabar, who became the riding’s first ever NDP MLA in 2009, is reoffering, while Progressive Conservatives elected Judi Giroux as their candidate last year.
Prior to the 2009, the riding had been held by the Conservatives since 1997 when Ernest Fage was elected in a byelection called following the retirement of late Liberal MLA Ross Bragg.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
